ABSTRACT

The main objective of the project has been to develop a methodology by which the most appropriate remediation technologies could be prescribed to steelworks polluted sites The ability to remediate polluted land successfully and cost effectively is mainly dependant on deriving an accurate conceptual model, capable for quantifying the impact from contaminants on soil quality both before and after remediation. As such, an essential part of this research was to tailor the use of site characterisation techniques to steelworks polluted sites for setting up and calibrating a mathematical model. Through the characterisation of soil samples arising from three different industrial plants (Sidenor, Corus and VÍTKOVICE), the effect of steelwork activities on selected site has been quantified. Then, the reduction of this impact through the use of appropriate treatments (soil washing, thermal treatment and bioremediation) have been proved. Soil samples, were treated at laboratory and pilot scale to determine principal process parameter and remediation effectiveness. The utilised technologies were evaluated in terms of pollutants removal efficiency, toxicity reduction and sustained costs. A system, that forecasts the fate of environmental pollutants across steelwork sites, has been developed. Concentration of pollutants in steelworks sites were added to a conceptual model developed from non-invasive and invasive site investigation studies. Moreover, leaching tests have been performed to study the pollutants ability to migrate and impact the neighbouring environmental receptors (both before and after remediation treatment). The conceptual model has been translated into a mathematical model and the fate of the pollutants were predicted. Experimental trials results have been used to validate the mathematical model.